Psykiskt

Psykiskt is a Swedish term that functions as both an adjective and an adverb, describing things related to the mind or to mental processes. As an adjective, it can modify nouns to indicate mental aspects, for example psykisk hälsa (mental health), psykiska funktioner (mental functions), or psykiska besvär (mental distress). As an adverb, it describes actions carried out in a mental or psychological context, for instance att påverkas psykiskt (to be affected psychologically) or känna sig psykiskt trött (to feel mentally tired).

Etymology and usage context: The form psykisk/psykiskt stems from the root psyke, meaning mind or soul, and reflects the influence of psychology and psychiatry on Swedish terminology. The prefix psyk- is common in words such as psykologi (psychology), psykoanalys (psychoanalysis), psykoterapi (psychotherapy), and related terms in mental health and behavioral sciences. The word is widely used in clinical settings as well as in everyday language to discuss mental health, cognitive-emotional states, and related phenomena.

Connotations and scope: Psykiskt is typically contrasted with somatiskt, which pertains to the body. It serves as a broad descriptor for mental health, emotional well-being, and cognitive processes, but it is not itself a medical diagnosis. In clinical language it appears in phrases like psykisk ohälsa (mental ill health) and psykiska störningar or psykiska sjukdomar (mental disorders), where it helps differentiate mental phenomena from physical symptoms.

See also: psykologi, psykiatri, psykoterapi, psykopatologi, psykos.